前脑的伏核和针刺镇痛、吗啡镇痛有关。电刺激伏核能引起痛阈明显升高。脑内存在着一个与痛觉调制有关的前脑神经线路

其中束旁核是这一线路中主要的痛觉接受中枢

束旁核还是针刺传入信号和痛觉信号相互作用的重要部位之一。伤害性刺激或针刺可分别引起束旁核内痛兴奋和痛抑制单位电活动的改变。电刺激丘脑的中央中核、中缝大核以及前脑的隔区视前区均可抑制束旁核的电活动。因而研究伏核与丘脑束旁核的The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of stimulation nucleus accumbens on pain-discharges from parafascicular nucleus (PF). Experiment was carried out on conscious immobilized rats. Stimulation of nucleus accumbens inhibited most of spontaneous discharges of PF pain- excitative units

but increased discharges of PF pain-inhibitive units. The effect of electro-acupuncture at "Zusanli" on PF was similar the effect of stimulation of nucleus accumbens. The results obtained indicate that the nucleus accumbens could regulate the pain through the PF.